Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dad and I met our friend, Linda last month at the new location of Toast in Novato. It's a new location for the restaurant that had its start in Mill Valley, and is still quite popular there. I remember being impressed with their breakfasts, how would dinner at the new location be? It seemed a good sign that although we were on the early side, there was still a line to get in, and it is a large space. The new Toast has a clean and happy look inside that is sure to please the casual diner.

Dad ordered the Brick Chicken which is half a deboned chicken that is served atop potato dumplings, spinach drizzled with natural jus. He liked it so much he cleaned every last bit off the plate, and half a chicken is usually an automatic take home box for an uneaten portion with him.

Linda and I ordered a special, the Wasabi-encrusted Salmon which was served with fingerling potatoes and broccoli rab. It was all topped with some fresh thinly sliced cucumber and the sauce had a bit of dill. Linda substituted mashed potatoes for the fingerlings to good effect. I was afraid the wasabi might be overpowering, but it was PERFECT. I hope to find this on the special list again!

And after that half a chicken my Dad wanted dessert! He thoroughly enjoyed the TOAST Sundae.

Linda and I decided to share a dessert special which was described as a custard with fresh fruit made with a dessert wine. Sounded interesting and the cool fruit idea was tempting as it was still a hot day (although Toast does have air conditioning). Unfortunately this was the one thing that disappointed both of us, so much so that we sent it back. If the waiter had just said that it's a version of Zabaglione we would have gotten the picture immediately and chosen accordingly (probably not for that evening). However the picture of 'custard' set a very different expectation so I think that was a lot of the problem. Overall, Toast was a great experience and a good value. I recommend it and definitely will be back for dinner again.

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Marin County Food Inspection Reports

The original online database of food inspection reports in Marin County was updated and moved to another URL in 2012. The pre-2012 links in posts here will not work, but you can look up all restaurants ratings here.

Anna lives in Mill Valley California and enjoys writing about her food and travel adventures in and out of Marin County.

"...what I would like to capture aren't thoughts but the scent of my happiness!"- Jacques Henri Lartique